(19)

(11)

EP 0 811 161 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.12.1997 Bulletin 1997/50 (21) Application number: 96903137.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.02.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01J 20/ 32( . ) G01N 33/ 543( . ) C12Q 1/ 24( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/000410 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/026440 (29.08.1996 Gazette 1996/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 21.02.1995 GB 19950003429 22.09.1995 GB 19950019427 (71) Applicant: THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE FISHERIES AND FOOD IN HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN London SW1A 2HH (GB)	(72) Inventors: ALEXANDER, Cameron-Institute of Food Research Reading RG6 2EF (GB) VULFSON, Evgeny-Institute of Food Research Reading RG6 2EF (GB) (74) Representative: Skelton, Stephen Richard  D/IPR, Poplar 2, MOD(PE) Abbey Wood, P.O. Box 702 Bristol BS12 7DU Bristol BS12 7DU (GB)